The former England forward Trevor Francis is recovering in a Birmingham hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack.

Birmingham City, the club Francis both played for and managed, confirmed that Francis, 57, had a stent fitted during an operation but he is thought to be well enough to be able to return home this weekend.

He was reported to have been taken ill in his apartment. His wife, Helen, and one of his sons, James, were by his bedside.

"Everybody at Birmingham City FC would like to send our best wishes to club legend Trevor Francis following news that he is recovering in hospital from a suspected heart attack," the club said in a statement.

The Plymouth-born Francis started his playing career at Birmingham as a 16-year-old in 1970.

"The former Blues striker and manager is much loved by everybody associated with the club and we'd like to wish Trevor a speedy recovery," the club added.

A hospital spokeswoman, Janet Mee, said: "Trevor Francis has been admitted to the Birmingham Heartlands Hospital. I am unable to confirm any other details."

He shot to fame as British football's first £1m signing, when he moved from Birmingham to Nottingham Forest in 1979, and scored the winning goal in Forest's European Cup final triumph against Malmo three months later.

"If I was introduced as the first million-pound transfer it would mean absolutely nothing to kids these days. In those days it was quite something. The record had been £500,000," Francis said last year.

The wiry, darting Francis also played for Manchester City and the Italian sides Sampdoria and Atalanta before returning to England with Queens Park Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday. He also managed both clubs and reached the FA Cup and League Cup finals in 1993 with Wednesday, losing both to Arsenal.

Francis led Birmingham City to the League Cup final, in 2001, where they lost to Liverpool on penalties. His last management post was at Crystal Palace in 2003, since when he has enjoyed a successful career in the media working as a commentator and pundit for Sky Sports.

Francis won 52 caps for England, scoring 12 goals, and played at the 1982 World Cup.

Last month his son James, 24, appeared in court on a charge of burglary. He denied the charge and was bailed until October.

The scorer of 28 goals in 70 appearances for Forest, Trevor Francis took the place of Martin O'Neill, now the manager of Sunderland, for the European Cup final against Malmo, something O'Neill "will never, ever forget", Francis said last year.

"I was told on the morning of the game I was going to play in the final and Martin still reminds me every time I see him."